One thing that we can count on in life is having to make choices every day. We have to prioritize what comes first? One of the definitions of priority is that something or someone is more urgent or important than other things. The choices we make today will have an impact on the quality of life we live tomorrow and beyond.
To have a successful life our first priority should be our relationship with God. There are numerous reasons why we should make Him priority, but let’s focus on these few. God has the blueprint for our lives. God formed us and knew us before we knew ourselves. God knows our past, present and future. He sent his son to die for us. Everything we need can be found in Him and His Word. In Jeremiah 29:11, AMP “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.
We are all unique and have dreams, goals, and aspirations of what we want out of life. We have to find out God’s plan for our lives and prioritize on how to achieve what He said we can have.
Make no mistake there is a real enemy that is trying to keep us from achieving our dreams, goals and aspirations. We can’t get discouraged or quit when something doesn’t go the way we planned. At times we have to reroute. It’s like when we are driving and miss a turn or exit. We don’t stop the car and stay there. We reroute and keep driving until we reach our destination.
Priorities change as we go through life. Rather it is marriage, divorce, having a love one die, graduating from school, becoming a caregiver, or raising children to name a few. We may have to reprioritize our directions many times in life and it is ok. At times we have to step back and just BREATHE, give it to God and take some “me time”. “Me time” is the time a person has to herself to do something for her own enjoyment. I love sitting by the river because it relaxes me.
When do we reevaluate our priorities? Anytime! I keep a pen and some liquid white-out close by and make the necessary changes when needed. Life can change so quickly and we have to make adjustments to line up with what’s going on in real time. Sometimes we reevaluate priorities on January 1st for the New Year, or our birthday. Follow the Holy Spirit and He will guide and update us on when we need to change our priorities.
Below are a few things that help me prioritize what’s important that might be helpful to you.
Pray First – I start my day with prayer and thanksgiving. Praying over things that are important to me in addition to matters I am lead to pray about.
I have a “Go To Scripture” that I pray if I feel stressed that brings me peace. Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in the Lord”.
I say what God says about me by recording scriptures on my cell phone. I replay them back to remind myself of His promises. We know faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
I write out and prioritize what’s most important, remembering I can re-prioritize the list any time. Life happens.
I remember life is a gift to be enjoyed.
- Diane Thompkins